The Armor Of God: The Belt Of Truth Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

To watch this sermon, go to: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/149276

We are in the closing section of what has been an amazing letter from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian Church. This church lived in the shadow of the heart of pagan worship and destruction. And so we can see how the culture around them was trying to encroach on the power of the gospel over their lives. Paul has given them an incredible distinction of the believer’s life in Jesus alone. What we have learned is that our lives are a beacon of spiritual victory over the forces of darkness around us because of the strength of Jesus Christ within us.

Every one of us has the same strength through the same Lord, which was Paul’s initial exhortation in the opening verses of this section: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Therefore we all are to clothe ourselves in the armor of God. And really this is symbolic of our clothing ourselves in the Lord Jesus himself. Not our strength, his strength. Not our truth, his truth. Not our righteousness, his righteousness. Not our peace, his peace. Not our faith and salvation, but his. Not our prayers, but praying in the Spirit. That is the image of the victorious believer and we all have these tremendous resources for the entirety of our lives until we see him face to face.

Because the reality of what Paul is trying to convey is that we will face trials and hardships in our Christian walk. Not only did Paul tell us that, but Jesus also promised us that in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” So you can be sure that Satan is going to do all he can to disrupt your faith and trust in Christ. He’s going to relentlessly try to cause you to stumble in your walk.

Let me provide you with some ways that Satan attacks:

-He’ll convince you of impending doom (2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:4),

-Through a constant barrage of lies and half-truths (John 8:44),

-Through false self-righteousness,

-Through deceptive and false teachings (1 Tim 4:1, Matt 7:15, Acts 20:30) to undermine God’s character and power and confuse us with false doctrine,

-To doubt God’s grace and forgiveness,

-Through hindering faithfulness in worship and Christian service,

-Through the pride of self to depend on our own or worldly resources,

-Disobedience to God’s commands. (Matt 4:1-11, 2 Cor 11:3, Luke 22:3-6),

-Through sickness and disease.

James tells us in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The way we do that is by clothing ourselves (continually) in God’s Armor of Jesus Christ. If we hold fast in Christ there is no scheme of the enemy that will be victorious over us.

?"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:10–20)

Ephes 6:14 “...having fastened on the belt of truth...”

When we get up and come to church in the morning, usually the belt is the last thing we put on. In fact, for many of us, it is more of a decorative accessory to our outfit, than something utilitarian. However, for the Roman soldier, the belt would be one of the most important components of his uniform that would likely save his life in combat, which is why the Apostle Paul starts with the belt of truth. You see, a Roman soldier’s uniform started with a tunic or cloak. The tunic was basically a square piece of fabric that had holes for the head and the arms. It was the belt that gathered all the excess fabric together.